KANSAS CITY, Mo. - In the span of a year, the Kansas City Chiefs went from being a franchise in disarray to one with the best record in the AFC and a shot at winning their division with two regular-season games left.

The Great Bend Recreation Commission has a few programs for those days school is not in session over the holidays. Students can meet their friends at the Activity Center for some fun on Monday, Dec. 23 and/or Monday, Dec. 30. Each day will include crafts, games, snacks, bowling at Walnut Bowl and fun organized activities. Amber Koch, Great Bend-Brit Spaugh Zoo education coordinator, will present an animal and activities on Dec. 30. GBRC will provide pizza on the 23rd and sub sandwiches on the 30th, along with beverages for lunch.

Barton Community College's Silver Cougar Club is offering a chance to learn all about Microsoft Word with a course scheduled for 1-4 p.m. on Wednesdays, Jan. 8 – Feb. 12 at the Center for Adult Education, 1025 Main St., Great Bend in room D-107.

Walter N. "Walt" Fleischmann, 70, longtime Great Bend resident, passed away at his home on Dec. 15 in Great Bend. Born Feb. 27, 1943, in Salina, he was the son of Roland and Esther Mae (Bender) Fleischmann. He attended elementary school in Great Bend, attended high school in Hutchinson, and later lived in Wichita. On April 30, 1966, he was united in marriage to Darlene M. Haberman in Timken. The couple resided in Colorado for a short time, then lived in Hope prior to moving back to Great Bend in 1982. He was a farmer for six years. After that ...

Auditions for the Great Bend Community Theatre production of "Neighborhood Crime Watch," by Craig Alpaugh, will be held Jan. 5 at 2 p.m. and Jan. 6 at 7 p.m. at the Crest Theater, 1905 Lakin Ave., Great Bend. There are roles for five men and two women. Performances will be held Feb. 20-23, 2014. For more information, contact GBCT, (620) 792-4228.

IOLA - Diane Gowdy, 64, former Great Bend resident and teacher, died Friday at her home in Iola. Born May 16, 1949 in Newton, Diane grew up in Emporia. On Aug. 30, 1969, she married Charley Gowdy. He died in 2010. The couple made their home in Great Bend. In 1996 they moved to Iola. She received her degree in education from Fort Hays State University and taught in the Great Bend school system.

Jay Paul Wareham, 63, died Dec. 15 at the Hutchinson Regional Medical Center. Born Oct. 21, 1950, in Highland Park, Mich., he was the son of Harold and Ruth (Thomson) Wareham. A longtime resident of Hoisington, recently residing in Great Bend, he was employed in the construction field and raised and trained hunting dogs.